Grocery Geek Presents: Gone Cherry Picking

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Hey there! I'm Jessica. I think that motherhood should be savored, like a good piece of chocolate. But sometimes it feels like more duty than delight. Am I right? I'm working to change that. Read more about me here and this blog here.

No, I didn’t really go pick cherries this week. What I’m referring to is the practice of buying a few great sale items at multiple stores versus the traditional grocery trip of buying all you need at one store, whether or not it’s the best sale.

Cherry picking allows me to stockpile on inexpensive items and stay under budget.

This is my general mode of operation, but during busy weeks — which are becoming more frequent that not — I result to shopping at one or two stores where most things are good deals.

However, during exceptionally good sales weeks, I’ve been known to shop at Costco, Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, Ralphs, Vons, Sprouts, Henrys, and Albertsons. Whew! No wonder I wear myself out sometimes.

I don’t think I’ve shopped all those in one week in a long time. But, since most of those stores are all within about five miles of my house, I can usually run a circuit and tackle them all in one fell swoop. It helps not to bring children along.

And that is what I did this week. I was gone for a little over an hour.

Here’s what I nabbed:

Albertsons had a great Kraft cheese promotion. Each package was $2. Buy 5 and get $5 back. This made the cheese $1 for 8 ounce packages. They also had Yoplait for $0.50 each. I used this Yoplait printable and got the price down to about $0.42 each.

Total spent after coupons and $5 catalina back =$2.60

At Ralphs I picked up an odd assortment of stuff. I strolled the markdowns and picked up those odds and ends that are rarely on sale and that I forget to buy (like muffin papers and cornmeal.) Some highlight prices:

This may not seem like the most efficient way to shop. And it’s not if you have far to drive. But seriously, each of these stores was just a few blocks from the next one, so it made it an easy thing to do. I spent $70.44 altogether, working to build our pantry and keep us in the black.

Comments

Wow girl! I’ll do that kind of shopping for cloths anyday and go store to store. In this small town I go to Price Chopper first then Walmart for anything the other doesn’t have. Once a month I’ll hit Sam’s Club and would love to get a Costco membership. My CSA pick-up is a special treat each week too. Hey, I guess I do go store to store too 🙂

It is always interesting to me to see how those who are good at this whole grocery game and stockpiling shop. Thanks for letting us virtually “cherry pick” alongside you and for the insight into your strategies!

It has gotten to the point where it’s really, really hard for me to buy things like the cornmeal or the chili because they weren’t on sale. But, the fam wanted chili on their dogs and I didn’t have time to make it. And the cornmeal is hard to find on sale.

@Jessica Fisher, No, it doesn’t seem wacky, it seems really smart. I’m noting how you had some ideas of what you were specifically after (combining sales w/ coupons, too) and also that you gave yourself time to stroll the markdowns to see what was available, too – smart strategy!

You’ve got me thinking that I need to keep a list in my head of what stores and farmstands are close to each other that I could hit in a loop like you do. Our Costco is pretty far out from where I normally shop, but I’m wondering now about exploring that area more so that my once a month trip to Costco could include a little “cherry picking” in that area – and places along the way home as well. I mean, I’m already headed in that direction, right, so why not?

I went cherry picking this week as well. Walked around
Walgreens while they did the prescriptions got $76.00 worth for $7.86 used gift card from Rx and register rewards. Went to Walmart and got $48.00 worth for $24.00 with coupons . Got meat and veggies and more prescriptions at Krogers used transfer gift card and paid $24.96 picked up meat and veggies at this store all the extras at the other stores. Best deal was sale on Scotch packing tape $5.00 at Walmart used $3.00 off coupon stocked up on this for next moving season when the kids will head off to school. Plus my ebay sales. Great price!

Hello Jessica,
I was wondering if you have much information on GROCERY CARDS. Or COUPON CARDS. I can’t seem to find information as to how to obtain them. On some coupon sites there are tabs for loading coupons to the card, but where do I get one? If you or anyone here can help me I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance

@ Nia You would sign up for a store loyalty card at the service desk if that store has the card program. Not all stores have them. Where I live Rite Aid, CVS and Kroger have them but not Meijer or Aldi. Hope this helps!

Hi! I'm Jessica. I want to help YOU get great meals on the table -- and keep that pretty smile on your face.Read more here.

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